A mom trying to get fit…but LIFE always has it’s own agenda.

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It’s officially the end of my second week since I said “enough is enough” and decided that it’s time to eat clean and have a better healthy lifestyle.

While I forgot to take a picture at my starting weight on day 1 of 230lbs. I managed to record it at some point during the first week and will continue to record my progress…for real this time. I will be accountable for my self–no excuses and no hiding.

Week 1 – Started eating clean on June 1, 2015

Week 2: June 8-12

So far in 2 weeks of eating clean, I have lost 6lbs. I have to admit that is damn good–who knew? And I didn’t even feel deprived per-say nor hungry. I don’t want to get over excited, but I can see myself through it to October 1st and beyond as a lifestyle. The greatest thing about this decision, it’s easier to apply it to my daughter because we don’t have to eat different things. We simply eat clean foods and it’s teaching her to make better choices as well.

I also decided to create my own hashtag on my instagram account ( #MsKiriGetFit) and snap pics of what I eat. Just to help me stay accountable. I don’t think I will do it for every meal but definitely to keep me inspired and motivated. I have to do this I don’t want to be in the 200’s ever again nor next summer. I have been doing this to myself for too long and I can not say hello to another summer with trying to cover up because I did not or failed to do something about it.

Since my last half marathon last year in October, I have put on even more weight… A LOT of weight. I believe I was 218 lbs. then and now a whopping 230 lbs. as of yesterday–when stepping on the scale.

While having the need to train for longer distance, my body became hungrier and I simply lost control. After letting my body recover from the half marathon, I simply stopped cold turkey and I guess I gave up too along the way. I know it’s because while training for the 13.1 run I just knew I would lose weight, but it never occurred to me to strictly watch my calories and “EAT CLEAN”.

Instead of eating clean meals or snacks after training to carb up for a bit of energy. My boyfriend (who also trained with me to run 13.1 last year) and I would head out to pick up a pizza–I know right. We have totally lost it since then, but more so I think I have lost myself in food. I love food, I enjoy food, but I also desire to be a healthy fit person. But it’s so hard! I feel pathetic everyday, when I read or follow fitness and clean eating accounts on social media to motivate me, and still eat what I want and not what I should. I’m a hypocrite!

So about 2 weeks ago, I thought to myself I can not bring myself to turn another year older and still look the same or in this case even “bigger”. I for one, love seeing my physician–but refuse to make appointment till I weight 218 or less. Most importantly, I want to live long for my daughter and loved ones. I rather die for being old then to a health issue that could have been prevented. And the fact that turning 35 is around the corner, I just have to make it happen–I’m not getting any younger. So as of June 1st, I have started again to focus on being healthier for weight-loss. I have set my first goal for October 1st to show myself, that I can do it and bring a happier and healthier me. I don’t know what kind of transformation I can do in 4 months, because I lack motivation. But I am willing not to quit anymore and make better choices of what I eat.

I love myself, but most of all I love my family…”Mind Over Matter”…I must do this.

Ever since my half marathon in October its’ been like a 5k run ever two weeks. Larry and I did The Color Run at Nationals Park in DC 2 weeks after running our 13.1, then another 2 weeks later–I attended the Montgomery County “Girls On The Run” 5k with my daughter.

Out of the 3 runs this was the most rewarding as a parent, it was my daughters first 5k and she did her run/walk pace. I was so proud of her to keep motivated in picking goal points along the way of when to start running and walking. I told her about the tag-it lady I met during my 13.1, that we implied it with friends and tagged them as we passed them and slowed down to catch our breaths after tagging them. It was totally so much fun and she’s looking forward to her mommy’s promise. The promise was that after her first 5k, I will register her for “The Color Run” with me the next time I do it.

It has been a little over two weeks since my second half marathon I participated on October 18th. However, this past Saturday I attended my first fun run, The Color Run which of course is the #Happiest5k on earth!! Two thumbs up for its location being at #NationalsPark in DC, and I got Larry to tag along.

While we met up with some old friends at the event, we got lucky it didn’t rain till later in the day. The runners were fun, friendly, and ecstatic…my kind of people 🙂 I can’t wait to do it again and bring my 9 year old daughter to experience it too! Check out my awesome pictures and video capturing this wonderful event.

We did it!! Yes this was the song I started to sing to Larry with one mile left to complete our first half marathon as a couple–it was totally worth the experience together.

You think you start off planning everything accordingly, but with all the excitement of my daughter doing her first Kids Fun Run at the 2014 Baltimore Running Festival this past Saturday. Well, you get carried away with the run arounds and what not. This led to Larry and I being real late to the start line of our half marathon. I wouldn’t be able to tell you how late because for the second time in a row, I fail to wear a watch to a half marathon. We were so late that we couldn’t tell where our start line was that we almost ran the full marathon course, but we figured it out and we were on our way.

As we began–we started off so quick that Larry’s hamstring injury from earlier in the week started to agitate him. To top it off, the first 1.5 miles there were NO spectators, we couldn’t even see cones signaling our way into the course–panic almost set in. It was like a movie scene, as I looked back at Larry, his arms went up…”Go on without me” “My hamstring not going to make it!” I stopped and replied “NO! I”m not leaving you–I told you this!”. Larry: “You run I will hold you back”. Me: “I SAID NO! If we have to walk then so be it!” “We can walk it all the way if needed until officials kick us out–if they have to.” We just need to get to mile 3 where we meet with the full marathon course before they open roads” “Lets just do what you can and take it from there!”

I don’t know how we got through the first 3 miles but I can tell you this we never walked and ran (shuffled, lol) so fast. Luckily Larry’s hamstring was just warming up but still he had issues with it through the run. The few spectators that were left or about to leave with their “Run like Zombies are chasing you” sign, by the 3rd mile mark were awesome. Still cheered us on and even a group had their own unofficial table with snacks for runners. We were about 100ft from meeting with the full marathon course at the 3rd mile when the marathon officials were following slowly behind us with their car because they were getting ready to open the roads behind us. BUT WE MADE IT and we continued the course with the rest of the runners.

From that point on it was quite an experience, I had so much fun running with Larry then alone when I did it the first time 2 years ago. You have someone to talk to, laugh with and fart with LOL (thanks snack station at 7.5 mile (20.5mile-Full) with Salt & Vinegar chips), just saying it happens when you run these things–what can I say. <shrugs> Runners around us would sometimes come up and make comments. One woman came by saying: “Can I ask you a question?” We: “Sure!” Woman: “Why did we sign up for this again?!”. Another runner mentioned: “YOU LIED ABOUT ALL THESE HILLS!”. But really I have to give a shout out to the best two groups of spectators with their unofficial water stations. Around 7th mile (20mile-Full), shout out to the table with wine shots for runners! And a shout out to the 10th mile (23rdmile-Full) with a their unofficial water table of beer shots! They were both refreshing.

While Larry and I were not doing it for time but for completion, I have to say I am so proud of him for training with me and going through with it. It was the best thing we have done together and I can definitely see that we are an awesome team. Here’s to many more runs with him as our next one is The Color Run in DC on November 1st.

So week 10, of our longest run of our 12 week training (well 13 we started a week early) came before we even knew it. It was the longest 10 miles in 2 yrs for me and first for Larry. It was tough with the variety of hills it had, but luckily not mentally. At the end Larry and I both knew we have this 13.1 in our pockets–that is for completion. 🙂

Then the last 2 weeks of training were easier runs which went so fast that the next thing I knew, I got our E-Cards to pick up bibs at the Baltimore Running Festival EXPO at the Baltimore Harbor. These EXPOs are like kids in a candy store….literally….see…. Love PlowOn Gum.

AND them BAM! We got our official Bibs can’t you tell we are excited for tomorrow!

As Larry and I continue our journey together in training for our half marathon in October. You could say we have encountered things you wouldn’t expect–then again better during training, then on race day.

After week 6’s encounter, we have been preparing ourselves well before long runs. Week 7 long run of 8 miles was a total success, no problems. Week 8, our long run dropped to an easy 4 mile run and we weren’t complaining. We also opted to running on the roads rather then park/lake trails because if you haven’t noticed Fall is here and it gets dark quick. Plus, we don’t want to be worried during our run of getting ticketed for being in a park after dark. After completing the run, Larry fell in love with road running 🙂 and finally understood why I easily got bored on trails and why I always suggested new routes.

Soon week 9 approached and we decided to take a very hilly run in our city. Though those hills may look intimidating visually, they actually were not so bad. However, just as we were getting in our zone and all fully warmed up by 1.5 miles of our 9 mile run. Larry stops all the sudden, and motions me to look at his leg. I asked “what? a cramp?” grabbing at his calf and he says “NO! My foot! Look under my foot! There something in my shoe!” as I bent lower on one knee to see I said “Oh Sh*T!” you need to take your shoe off! I can’t get that out from here.”

Look at that huge nail! We were so shocked how it just nudged itself in the shoe perfectly in the hole. Thankfully it only poked up to the bottom of his heel and broke no skin…but WOW–just crazy. Anyway, after a good 10 minutes trying to get it out–we finally did and continued our run without a problem. I know you shouldn’t always look down at your feet when you run, but you definitely need to watch your step as a runner especially near construction sites. I’ve always enjoyed running on the road and now that Larry seems hooked on it and not wanting to go back to the lake. I may have created a monster.